Gallipolis Christian Church | Statement of Faith

Beliefs of the Leadership of GCC

This document is not a creedal statement, but rather the written expression of the basic essential beliefs of the present leadership of our local church. We exist autonomously and answer to Christ alone as the Head of our body. We live according to His Word alone as our only rule of life and faith. If someone wishes to join our church, we ask that individual to prayerfully read this document and be sure that they can agree with the beliefs therein. Those who teach within our local church are asked to maintain this belief system within their teaching. We hope a statement like this one will prove to edify and unify Christ’s church, instead of further dividing God’s people. May the Lord bless you as you consider these historic truths of the Christian faith.

(All Scripture references are included at the end of this document.)

1. The Bible. We believe that God has spoken in the books of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. The Apocryphal books are also a helpful historical and devotional tool. As the inspired Word of God, the Bible is a living document, protected by the Spirit of God in translation and in reading through the ages; the revelation of God’s will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Scripture is a fascinating collection of documents that reveal the continued human wrestling with God and God’s will for the world. The books of the Bible are filled with collections of oral tradition, poetry, history, and other literary forms from many authors across many centuries. Therefore, Scripture must be read beyond a plain and literal approach, leaving space for the Spirit to help us understand and apply the Truth of God in life-giving and redemptive ways. Scripture tells us the story of God’s interactions with real people in the real world, and we ought to leave space for God to continue to work through real people today in our present world. Though we believe that God speaks to some people today, we reject the teaching that individuals can receive words from God that have the same authority as Scripture. Therefore, the Bible is to be believed in all that it teaches; obeyed in all that it requires; and trusted in all that it promises. (Psalm 19:7–11; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21)

2. God. We believe in one God, who created all things, and who is holy and infinitely perfect; in whom all things have their source, support, and end. God exists eternally in a loving trinity of three equally divine Persons, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:18–20; Hebrews 1:1-3, 8) Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity past to redeem a people for Godself and to make all things new. What God purposes will come to pass. To God we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 32:3–4; John 17:3; Acts 17:28; Ephesians 1:3–5; 3:7–13; Revelation 4:11)

- God the Father. We believe the Father is not begotten nor is He the One who was crucified. He is frequently spoken of as “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thanks to His choice in adopting us, He is also our Father, and we are described as His children. The Father is the one who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and chose us to be His from before the foundation of the world. The Father loved the world and gave His Son on our behalf. (Matthew 6:9; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3) We affirm that our God is our Redeemer. We should also note that the masculine language of the Bible is merely a tool for communication. God is without sex or body, existing as spirit. All humankind has been created to reflect the image of God and should try to relate to this image of God in ways they can appreciate.

- God the Son. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, truly God and truly human, one Person with two natures. Although Jesus Christ, who is Israel’s promised Messiah, existed from eternity past, He was conceived in human flesh through the Holy Spirit and born of Mary who was a virgin. He lived a sinless life, blessed many in the world, torn down walls of separation, defeated powers of oppression, and was ultimately crucified and died under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1; Ephesians 1:15–23; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Hebrews 1:8) We believe that Jesus Christ honored God’s law as expressed in both the Old Testament and New Testament by His personal obedience and atoning death on the cross for sinners. He is the one Mediator between God and man. To Him we gladly give our obedience and worship, surrendering our will to the Father as he demonstrated for us, being deeply grateful for His grace toward us while we were yet sinners. (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Hebrews 9:15)

- God the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father in all things. The Spirit convicts humanity of their sin and regenerates all who believe; and in the divine Spirit all believers are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. By the Holy Spirit the Godhead now indwells all believers. The Spirit also illuminates, guides, equips, empowers, and intercedes on behalf of believers for Christ-like living and service. (John 7:38–40; 16:7–11; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:26; Galatians 5:16–18) We believe that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts to the church for the edification of the body of Christ. We believe sign gifts (such as speaking in tongues) are not required as proof of the filling or baptizing work of the Holy Spirit, yet we do not oppose those who seek any gifts. The Holy Spirit never departs from a believer and is ever present to testify of Christ, bringing about the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit’s presence in the life of believers is the guarantee that God will bring us safely into the New Heavens and New Earth where we will enter fully into the inheritance that awaits us. (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13–14)

3. The Human Condition. We believe that God created Adam and Eve (archetypes for humankind) in God’s own image as male and female, thus the gift of two different yet equal and complementary sexes reflects the goodness of God’s creation. This is demonstrated in marriage, the oldest covenant created for humankind by God. However, because Adam and Eve voluntarily rebelled in the Fall (Genesis 3), as their descendants, we are born in a cursed world, full of pain and injustice and death. Sin has affected the whole of our being as humankind, leaving us morally and spiritually “dead in [our] trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, renewed, and reconciled to God. (Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3) Since humanity is the crowning work of God’s creation, each human being created in God’s image is sacred and is worthy of respect and Christian love. This respect must be accorded to all human life, without exception. (Psalm 139:13–16; Revelation 5:9–10)

4. Salvation. We believe that salvation involves the redemption of the entire person—body, soul, and spirit—and is offered freely to all who, having been called by God, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The moment we trust Him as Savior, we pass from death unto life, accepted by the Father according to the measure of Christ’s acceptance, and loved even as He is loved. As our representative and substitute, we believe that His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for our salvation. Several actions are listed in the New Testament as coming forth from a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. These are confession of faith, repentance from sin, baptism in water (and also the baptism of the Holy Spirit), continued righteous living, commitment to Christ’s church, and regular participation in the Lord’s Supper. We believe that these actions are a testimony of saving faith and they offer the believer a further assurance of salvation in Christ alone. They are commands in Scripture, and should be expected of all professing believers. (John 1:11-12; Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 8:36; Acts 22:16; John 3:5; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 2 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 10:25)

We rejoice that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). (Acts 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Peter 3:18) We believe this salvation is a gift of God’s grace, appropriated through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith is a gift of divine grace, and is not simply knowledge of Jesus Christ, but is an act of personal trust accompanied by the miracles of regeneration and justification, leading to sanctification and glorification. We could say that salvation is both a momentary and eternal event. Believers have been saved by regeneration and justification, are being saved daily through sanctification, and will finally be saved eternally when glorification takes effect. This process, intimated and accomplished by God’s power also involves an invitation for our continued participation.

5. The Church. The church, which had its special beginning on the day of Pentecost, is comprised of all who have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, of which He is the head. The universal church is manifest in local churches. The diversity of the expressions of Christianity around the world is a testimony to the greatness and wide-reaching love of God. We hope to celebrate these unique expressions and honor the work of God in many places and among many people. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:8; 2:43; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:20–23)

The Lord Jesus Christ instituted and commanded the ordinances of baptism and communion, which tangibly and symbolically express the Gospel. Although these ordinances are not the means of salvation, when they are celebrated by the church in genuine faith, they do confirm and nourish the church, the body of Christ. Baptism and communion at the Lord’s Table are not optional for the believer. In obedience to Christ’s command, we urge every believer upon profession of faith to joyfully follow our Lord’s instructions and be baptized “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) in repentance of sin. Baptism is the picture of death and resurrection for the follower of Christ. We desire to follow the pattern of the New Testament in which conversion was followed by a baptism of repentance, and regular communing with Christ’s church at His table with the elements representing His body and shed blood. The act of eating together each week is a constant reminder of our shared experiences as the redeemed of God, and an invitation into deeper relationships of love for God and for neighbor. (Matthew 26:26–29; Matthew 28:18–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26)

6. Christ’s Return and Our Eternal Destiny. We believe that God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring this present era to a close. According to His promise, our Lord Jesus Christ will return imminently, personally, and bodily for His church and also for the eternal establishment of His kingdom. For believers, His coming is their blessed hope and demands constant expectancy, holy living, and sacrificial service. (Titus 2:11–14; 2 Peter 3:8–14)

Though many disagree over the millennial kingdom of Christ as it is understood in prophecy, we must be unified in the truth that Christ will return for His church and will reign for eternity. We believe that God will raise the dead and judge the world. Those who refuse to repent or honor Christ will have no place in this coming Kingdom. But Christ will lead believers into eternal joy in His presence in the New Heavens and the New Earth, where we will forever celebrate the justice of God and His loving mercy to the praise of His glorious grace. We believe in a bodily resurrection at the second coming of Christ, and glorified bodies for believers, so that they can exist in the presence of our holy God forevermore. (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 15:1–4; Revelation 20:11–15; 2 Corinthians 5:1–10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES IN ORDER (English Standard Version):

Psalm 19:7–11, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Matthew 5:18, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Peter 1:20–21, “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

Matthew 28:18–20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Hebrews 1:1-3, 8, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high … But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Deuteronomy 32:3–4, “For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Acts 17:28, “for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’”

Ephesians 1:3–5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”

Ephesians 3:7–13, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.”

Revelation 4:11, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Matthew 6:9, “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.””

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

2 Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”

Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

Matthew 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).”

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Ephesians 1:15–23, “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

1 Timothy 2:5–6, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Hebrews 1:8, “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Hebrews 9:15, “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”

John 7:38–40, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.””

John 16:7–11, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

1 Corinthians 12:13, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Galatians 5:16–18, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Romans 8:9, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

1 Corinthians 12:13, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

Ephesians 1:13–14, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”

Ephesians 2:1–3, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Psalm 139:13–16, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Revelation 5:9–10, “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.””

John 1:11-12, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Matthew 10:32-33, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Romans 10:9-10, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Luke 13:3,5, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Acts 2:38, “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 17:30, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”

2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

1 Peter 3:21, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Acts 8:36-37, “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?””

Acts 22:16, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”

John 3:5, “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.””

Romans 6:3-5, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

1 Peter 1:16, “since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

2 Corinthians 5:15, “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Hebrews 10:25, “…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.”

John 3:3, “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.””

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Titus 3:4–7, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Romans 3:19–26, “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 3:10–14, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”

1 Corinthians 1:30, “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”

1 Thessalonians 2:19, “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?”

1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”

Romans 8:17, 30, “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him … And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

2 Thessalonians 1:10, “when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.”

Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2:43, “And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.”

1 Corinthians 12:13, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

Ephesians 1:20–23, “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

Matthew 26:26–29, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.””

1 Corinthians 11:23–26, “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.”

Titus 2:11–14, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

2 Peter 3:8–14, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”

Matthew 25:46, “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Revelation 15:1–4, “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Revelation 20:11–15, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

2 Corinthians 5:1–10, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”